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Music duo Scratch Track touches on racism in music at Northland College

February 1, 2013

Northland College will host an evening of diversity, discussion and music with the Kansas City music group Scratch Track. The acoustic alternative/blues/hip-hop duo will offer the presentation "Racism in Music" in which they explore society's views of racism in popular music. The presentation will be held on Friday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Alvord Theatre on the Northland College campus. The event, a part of the Northland College Community Connections series, is free and open to the public.

Scratch Track has performed for 10 years at a variety of venues across the nation. Jason Hamlin, singer and guitarist for ScratchTrack, said they perform at universities, clubs and festivals hoping to make an impact with their music.

"There's just so much music out there today that doesn't say anything to anyone. We feel like we have some substance to us as a group and a duo," said Hamlin. "The presentation deals with a lot of different areas of racism besides what people are saying. It deals with first impressions, the way a person dresses and how people can draw positive or negative conclusions right away. Sometimes we judge people before we ever hear what they have to say."

Kat Werchouski, coordinator for multicultural programs at Northland College, said racism is still present in society, and it's important to keep an open dialogue on issues that confront us all.

"February is Black History Month and at Northland College we feel it's important to reflect on the history of racism in our culture and how it plays a role in our society today," said Werchouski. "Music is just one avenue where one can see evidence of prejudices that are still being perpetuated, but it's also a way to reach people's hearts and minds and institute change."

Scratch Track will provide a 15-minute presentation with a performance immediately to follow. The Northland College Multicultural Office is sponsoring the event.